The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-13
4 CHUHCH IN CaASCERY.
DISORGANlzlNG EFFECTS or A
BAD PREACHER.
The 0akville Baptist Church Ven.
tiIate Their Views OF the
Rev. A. j. Loving.

From internal dissensions and strife
and much equsbbling, the 0akville
Missionary Baptist Church, colored,
situated in the Twelfth Civil District,
has at last launched its grievances into
cbarcery. The bill, a ed yesterday by
the church officers, dwells in rich ale
cations against the pastor, the Rev. A.
]. Loving, rs follows: That on or
about the month Of June, 1885, A. j.
Loving came to their church and re-
ouested them to allow him to preach
for them, which was granted. He
then said he desired to become their
regular pastor, and as an inducement
represented to them that he was an
educated man, in evidence Of which
he exhibited q "sheepskin"; that he
could wash and iron; that he was
ID. d.. that he was ordained In Wash.
ington, d. o., as q missionary, and
had preached four years to the heather
nations; that he was employed
by the white people OF Mem.
phis to preach to them two
Sundays 10 each month, at q sslary Of
SIS per month. The remaining Sun
DAYS he desired to devote TO the en-.
ligbtsnment Of his colored brethren,
and, inasmuch as the 0akville church
was Q poor organisation, he would
preach for them ct Just such price %
they were willing to pay. That he
was independent, holding . check for
10000 on Q bank at Washington, and
did not want for money; that he spoke
seven different languages, and was
cultured In ell the arts aud sciences;
that he was q member OF eight differ
ent secret lodges, In evidence OF which
he gave 10 various members many Pc
culiar grips, which they could not I'M
derstand; that he claimed to have
power TO ind all lost, stolen or buried
money, and that he would endow
them with those powers, inducing
many OF the members 10 dig for same
In the grave yards. The taid
Loving also had an inetru.
ment with which he claimed to
rule the worlu. Oomplainants
protested against his superstitions and
fraudulent teachings, upon which he
boastingly said he had lawyers In
Memphis who cost him nothing, and
that he could "plesd us 80 clOte to
hell that We would feel the heat and
look 10 see II We were not scorched."
Complainsnts cay that they soon
discovered Loving TO be q bad and
dangerous man; that be was neither
q preacher In good standing, A scholar
nor q ID D.; that be WAS q wicked,
criminal fraud, and followed mp the
discovery by prompt expulsion and
warning not TO sgain enter their house
OF worship. For this course Loving
fled action before Justice Egnew Tor
q peace warrant against them. They
asked that II be referred to the magis-
trate OF the Twelfth District, where
they and their witnesses reside, for
trial, In order that they might
not lose 90 much time from their
growing crops. This Justice Egnew
refused 10 do, but turned the case over
TO Justice William Quinn, who also
had his Office In Memphis. Quinn Get
the care Tor July 18th, on which date
they appeared, but there was no pros
ecutor, Aad on advice from their coun'
sci they returned home. They pray
for an Injunction restraining Loving
from further action against them,
which chancellor Elicit granted.